News

2006-12-09 16:27:55

Storm injured pup rescued from precarious position, Cornwall

Late in the afternoon, around 4:30pm, local RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Felicity Cross contacted BDMLR Coordinator Dave Jarvis about a seal pup 'covered in blood' by Little Fistral Beach, Newquay. Dave in turn contacted Assistant Coordinator Jenny Haley before heading out to the site with Medics Lesley and Dan Jarvis.

Jenny was first on the scene and met up with the caller, Will Keegan, and his friend who showed her where the pup was – about 20ft above the sea at the back of a small headland, known as Towan Head. The pup was nestled between two large boulders, but blood could be seen around the nose and mouth corresponding with a large deep wound on the underside of the lower jaw, while further superficial injuries were noticed on the rear flippers.

Dave, Lesley and Dan arrived shortly afterwards, followed by Medics Rebecca Allen, Nicola Fuszard and Ralph Barber. As the area was dark and dangerous, only Dan went across the narrow path to the boulders where Jenny, the callers and seal were to help remove it from the precarious position it had found itself in. The others on the safe side of the headland assisted by shining torches on the area. After shooing the pup into a slightly more open area, Jenny was able to jump the grumpy and vicious pup so Dan could give it a good check over, finding bite wounds on the foreflippers and a couple more with associated swellings and pus on the rear flippers. After consulting with Senior Animal Care Assistant Tamara Cooper of the National Seal Sanctuary, it was decided that the pup needed to come in for treatment. Jenny and Dan got the pup into the seal bag and carried the seal back across the ledge to the main path where the others were waiting.

Once safely back in the car park, the pup was jumped by Rebecca so that Jenny and Nicola could tube feed it rehydration fluids before the journey. During this process, it was decided to name the pup Taz on account of its behaviour! Ralph and Dave then put the seal in the car, whereupon it was taken to the Sanctuary.